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The following are
some general principles and considerations if you are about to buy your
next digital camera:
1. Budget
Decide
first how much you have to spend on your new camera. Factor in some
dollars for
extra memory and maybe a
re-chargeable battery kit and
extra batteries. Also, a
camera case or bag will protect your
camera from dust and bumps (not supplied with the camera).
Here's what ABC
Radio has to say: "The extras. You need quite a few
other bits and pieces with the camera. Including a
case for carrying it,
rechargeable batteries and a charger, a
bigger
memory card, and a
card-reader
. Make sure you have everything you need!"
ABC.
Browse cameras
by price:
Under $200
$200 to $500
$500 to $700
Over $700
2. How will you use the camera?
Whether you are buying a
point
and shoot digital camera or an
SLR
camera the same considerations apply. Do you want it go in your
handbag, your coat pocket, your shirt pocket
or your back pack? Do you require an ultra compact camera? Is it for a
beach holiday - does it need to be splash and sand proof? Will I be
taking a lot of indoor shots, night time parties, or tall buildings,
speeding racing cars? Do you want a camera that can take wide angle or
telephoto lenses? Will you only ever want to take point and shoot shots?
Do you want to take creative shots with special effects using the
popular
SLR
format cameras?
3.
Megapixels
The number of Megapixels of a camera is no longer the issue it was
at the beginning of the digital camera era when many excellent cameras
were only 2 megapixels (mp). These days entry level is currently 7 mp
and these will give you beautiful prints up to A3 size. For email and
website use, you don’t need large images. In fact, it is usually a good
idea to reduce your photos to about 640x480 pixels to send. Most
cameras come with software that will help you do this.
If you are using digital images to print commercially for
magazines/catalogues, then use at least a 7 mp camera at top resolution
and save the photo as an uncompressed file, preferably in TIFF format
(seek guidance from your publisher/printer). In this situation, avoid
using the digital zoom on your camera (due to loss of resolution) by
getting close to your subject. If you take wide shots, you'll have to
crop the image later and will lose resolution.
Browse cameras by megapixels:
5 Megapixel Digital Cameras
6 Megapixel Digital Cameras
7 Megapixel Digital Cameras
8 Megapixel Digital Cameras
9 Megapixel Digital Cameras
10+ Megapixel Digital Cameras
4. Zoom
Digital
cameras usually have optical zoom and/or digital zoom. Optical zoom is
“true” zoom, like that found on a 35mm camera. The zoom lens enables you
to view and photograph a subject more closely. On a digital camera,
optical zooms allow you to do this without losing any pixels, or
quality.
Most digital cameras also have a digital zoom feature, which extends the
range of the zoom by electronically cropping and enlarging the image. In
doing this, there is loss of resolution, but if it allows you to get the
shot that you want, it can be worthwhile. Depending on the number of
megapixels of your camera and the size you are printing, you may not
even notice this loss. Buying hint: pay closest attention to Optical
Zoom when buying a camera.
Browse big zoom cameras:
Ultra Zoom Cameras
5. Viewfinders vs. LCD screens
Digital cameras come equipped with a LCD screen, often with a
viewfinder (similar to film cameras) or both. As the LCD's are
increasing in size to 2.5 inches and beyond, the viewfinder is
disappearing from recent model compact cameras. The LCD provides a
larger viewing area when composing shots, and it allows you to play back
your images after you've shot them. The LCD uses a lot of battery
power. Viewfinders don't use up batteries and aren't affected by the
glare of the sun. If your camera only comes with a LCD screen, consider
purchasing a lens hood to reduce glare. LCDs can also present problems
when taking night time shots - again a camera with a view finder can be
helpful when taking night time shots. Look for these symbols on this
website:
 |
This
camera has a view finder. |
 |
This
camera does not have a view finder. |
For LCD sizes
look for these symbols:
6. Shutter lag
Most recent digital cameras have reduced shutter lag
significantly. Shutter lag refers to the maddening
time it used to take for most digital cameras to focus and calculate the
exposure after you have squeezed the shutter button but before the shot
is captured.
One way round it is " the
half-pressing trick". You can usually eliminate the shutter lag by
half-pressing the shutter button before the action begins. The camera
pre-focuses, pre-calculates and locks in those settings as long as you
continue to half-press. Then, when the child finally smiles, you press
the rest of the way down to capture the shot. No lag.
If
your camera has a shutter-lag problem, the pre-focusing trick may be
your best bet. Another option: many cameras offer a continuous-focus
option that eats up your battery faster but also reduces shutter lag by
focusing constantly as you aim the camera (or as the subject moves).
Newer and more expensive cameras
tend to have the least shutter lag, and digital single-lens reflex, or
SLR
models (bigger cameras that take interchangeable lenses), have none
at all.
7. Extra Batteries
Digital
cameras are totally dependent on
batteries. It is a good idea to always have a spare battery charged
up and ready to go. If your camera takes AA batteries, you need to use
NiMH rechargeable batteries. These are up to 4 x more powerful than
alkaline batteries.
8. Manual controls
The
lower-priced cameras are usually simple, point-and-shoot models, with no
manual controls. As the megapixels and price increase, so does the
sophistication of the camera. The higher-end cameras may feature
adjustable focus and exposure settings, several flash modes, hot-shoes
for external flash units, and lens adapters for add-on zoom and wide
angle lenses. Decide if you need manual controls. All digital
cameras offer point and shoot simplicity - sufficient for the needs
of the majority of 'weekend camera warriors' and 'happy snappers'.
9. Movie mode
Almost all digital compact cameras have movie mode, allowing you to
record video footage for playback on your computer or TV, mostly with
sound. If this feature is important to you, be sure to check the
camera's spec sheet. SLR cameras do not feature movie mode.
10. Extra Memory ("memory cards" replace film, and are re-useable)
Most
cameras come with the bare minimum of memory (16mb, or 32mb for higher
resolution cameras). This allows you to take only a few photos at
highest resolution. You will need to buy
extra memory to make the most of your camera.
The size of card you need depends on the megapixels of your camera and
how many photos you’d like to take before you have to download. The
higher the megapixels, the fewer photos will fit on a card of a given
size.
Click here to see approximately how many photos you will fit per
card.
Carefully check
your cameras specifications for memory as there are currently
8 different types of memory cards (e.g. compact flash, secure
digital, memory sticks, xD cards). These are different shapes and sizes
and are NOT interchangeable.
11. What's in the box?
Typically, your camera will come in a box with: a strap; a very small
memory card (or a small amount of built-in memory); disposable or
rechargeable batteries; software for your computer for viewing and
downloading photos; operating instructions; and a USB cable to connect
to the computer for downloading photos. Some cameras also have an AV
cable to connect to your TV. The manufacturer determines what comes in
the box.
12. Buying a D-SLR format camera
When buying a
digital SLR (d-SLR) camera many of the same principles apply as
above (note there is no movie mode in SLR cameras and they take separate
inter-changeable lenses). Buying suitable lenses for your dSLR
camera is an important additional consideration. Unless you already
have compatible lenses, buy your SLR camera with an included single or
twin lens kit, as it is much cheaper than buying separate lenses. When
selecting your camera /lens package or when buying lenses separately,
you want to consider how you will use your lens: landscapes, events
(parties/weddings/holidays), sports, portraits or close-ups (macro).
Will I be using it during the day, or at night, or in low light
situations? In the case of zoom lenses, for example, your focal lengths
may be 18-55mm and 55-200mm etc. The higher the number the longer the
focal length, the more zoom and the narrower field of view. The lower
the number, the shorter the focal length, the less zoom and the wider
the field of view. The next number(s) will be the aperture, usually
expressed in f values (e.g. f/1.8). The lower the f value the more open
the aperture which means the more light through the lens which is what
you need for low light and night photography (a low f value is also
handy in fast action sports photography). Some zoom lenses will have
multiple values, e.g. a 70-300mm lens with an f value of f/4-5.6. This
means you have an aperture of f4 when the lens is at a focal length of
70mm, and f5.6 at 300mm.
13. Operating system of your computer
NOTE:
you do NOT need a computer to take and print digital photographs (see
next section below).
If you have a
computer, make sure it has a USB port and that your camera is compatible
with the operating system. All cameras come with a USB cable for
downloading. You may also wish to consider purchasing a memory
card
reader, which plugs into the computer’s USB port for easy
downloading. It is a simple way to move images into your computer and
does not rely on having your camera’s batteries charged up.
14. You don't need a computer to own and use a digital camera
Many
cameras and printers allow direct print connection, either via cable or
infrared between the camera and
printer.
There are also many
printers
that have memory card slots and allow you to print directly from your
memory cards. Or you can take your memory card to a photo shop and have
them print the photos and burn a copy to CD.
15. Warranty issues
Make
sure you buy a camera with the manufacturer's Australian warranty.
Cameras from some
stores may come through so called "grey market" or "parallel
import" channels without a valid Australian manufacturers warranty (also
referred to by such stores as "international versions"). Such cameras
may be factory seconds. "Grey market" cameras are less expensive
upfront, but may cost you a lot more if you have any problems. Also, if
you purchase your camera overseas, if you have a warranty issue, you
will need to return it to the country of purchase, at your expense.
All cameras from Digital Camera Warehouse come
with a 12 month warranty from the Australian manufacturer.
16. Extended warranty
When
you buy your new camera, or BEFORE the standard 12 month manufacturer's
Australian warranty expires, consider protecting your investment by
extending your warranty. To find out how this works, click
on extended camera warranty.
17. Insurance Issues
If the
camera is lost, stolen, dropped, immersed in water, rolled under a bus,
or damaged in any way, this is not a warranty matter. Think
about asking your insurance company to include your new camera on
your home contents policy!
Read
what ABC Radio had to say about what you need to get started in digital
photography
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